Page 114 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

Who then is a pastor? He is most often, an ordinary person who has realized the direct call of God to a unique
ministry in behalf of the church.

Remember that You Need to Grow.

One may wonder, how in the world can I ever do all of these things? A professor said to his graduating seniors
from seminary; “Remember, commencement means just that. It is a beginning, not an end. Here in seminary we
have been able to give you a few basic tools that, if used carefully and wisely, will enable you to tackle most of
the tasks you will find in the pastorate. Remember, too, skill increases the more you use a tool. Do the best you
can from the very beginning, but do not consider yourself a finished product. You’ve only just begun.”

A. Be Modest

Sometimes pastors forget this due to their theological training. We would be wise to remember that
sometimes even theological education does not begin to compare with the training gained by a saint of God
who lives a lifetime in close harmony with the Lord.

B. Do your Best.

A pastor cannot excel at every task that will be laid before him but he can strive to do his best at every task.
Nothing a minister does should be done casually or haphazardly.

C. Love Your People and Preach the Word

Two basic factors that will place him in high esteem with his people is to simply love his people
extravagantly and to preach them the Word of God faithfully. Your congregation should know you love
them. Brag on them. Serve them. And never take the opportunity as you stand behind the sacred desk to
whip your people into shape, brow beat them, or grind an ax. Instead faithfully preach to them the whole
counsel of Scripture and watch how the transforming power of the Bible will transform them from babes in
Christ to mature followers in Christ.

D. Keep Things in Perspective

An old saying is appropriate; “Although I often get tired in the Lord’s service, I never get tired of the Lord’s
service.” Guard against becoming so tired that you are exhausted in the work.

E. Be a Faithful Undershepherd

Who then is a pastor? He is an Undershepherd of God called
to feed, lead, and serve a group of people making up a local
church. His duties are many and varied. Seldom does God call
extraordinary men to carry on the ministry. More often, He
calls ordinary men who are extraordinary in their faithfulness
and obedience to Him.

It is no accident therefore, that the Bible does not spell out many
of the specifics of the job to which God calls the pastor. Instead, it
lists character traits. Could it be that it is the most important to
God what a pastor is than what he is able to do?

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